Q2 of 37 Page 4

Why does graphite conduct electricity, but not diamond?

  1. In case of diamond, each carbon atom of a single crystal is surrounded by four other carbon atoms by covalent bonds such that they form four corners of a regular tetrahedron. Because of four covalent bonds with each carbon atoms there are no free electrons available. Due to the non-availability of free electrons within crystalline structure, diamond acts as a bad conductor of electricity. 
  2. In case of graphite, every carbon atom in a single crystal is covalently bonded to three carbon atoms. As each carbon atoms has four valence electrons one valence electron is left free for each carbon atom. These free electrons can be easily made to flow within the crystalline structure of graphite by applying electric potential.

    Thus, graphite is a good conductor of electricity.

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